Published 27 July 2026 · Updated 14 August 2026
The Kingdom, opened
Saudi Arabia's tourist e-visa programme includes India, and Umrah is permitted on it (Hajj is excluded — that remains its own regulated channel). One thing most competitor pages still get wrong: since February 2025 India has been one of fourteen nationalities that can no longer be issued the multiple-entry visit visa. What you get today is a single-entry visa, and the stay it grants is printed on the visa itself — commonly 30 days. Plan one trip per application, and don't book an itinerary that routes back into the Kingdom on the same visa.
Eligibility for Indians comes in tiers. Holders of valid US, UK or Schengen visas (used at least once) — or residents of those countries and the GCC — apply through the streamlined e-visa/visa-on-arrival channel. Other applicants use the standard e-visa or consulate routes, where an approved local handler smooths the file.
Costs — read the bundle
The Saudi e-visa fee is quoted inclusive of mandatory medical insurance, which surprises applicants comparing raw visa fees. The current bundle is SAR 300 visa fee, SAR 180 medical insurance and a SAR 55 platform charge — SAR 535 in all, roughly ₹13,500. We quote the final rupee figure in writing before you pay anything.
Documents
- Passport valid 6+ months
- Digital photo to spec
- Accommodation and travel details for the application
- The qualifying visa/residence proof if using the fast-track tier
- For families: documents linking dependants
Umrah on a tourist visa — what changed
Riyadh now explicitly allows Umrah for tourist-visa holders outside the Hajj season, transforming planning for Indian Muslim families: Jeddah arrival, Umrah, then Al-Ula or Riyadh tourism on one visa. Prayer-time logistics, ihram points on your flight path, and Makkah hotel realities are exactly the details our desk handles.
Timelines
E-visas commonly clear within 24–72 hours; consulate routes take longer. Ramadan and Hajj-adjacent weeks compress availability across flights and hotels far more than visa processing — book those seasons early.
FAQ
Can women travel without a mahram on the tourist visa?
Yes — the tourist e-visa has no mahram requirement, a deliberate change in Saudi's tourism rules.
Does the tourist visa allow work?
No. Employment remains under separate iqama/work systems.
Tourist e-visa vs a dedicated Umrah visa — which for my family?
For Umrah-plus-tourism, the tourist e-visa's flexibility usually wins; for group Umrah packages in peak windows, the dedicated channel can price better. We compare both for your dates.
